Abstract: A portable breakwater system for use in a body of water includes first and second support members adapted to be positioned on the floor of the body of water and a curtain attached between the first and second support members. The first and second support members allow the curtain to freely rise in response to a wave in the body of water so as to attenuate the wave. Each support member includes a base plate and a frame assembly extending upwardly from the base plate. The base plates can be anchored to the water floor with one or more weights. The frame assemblies include pivoting or telescoping sections that permit the curtain to rise in response to a wave. Alternatively, the curtain can be attached to pre-existing underwater structure, such as the support members of a dock located in the body of water. In this case, the curtain is attached to the support members via attachment sleeves that are slidingly mounted on the support members.

Abstract: A grout injecting/structure anchoring system has a support bracket with a horizontal portion and a pair of threaded recesses and a sleeve there between. A grout tube has a plurality of apertures along its length. A lower cross brace is positioned above the sleeve and guide tube and grout tube with unthreaded holes axially aligned with the threaded recesses of the support bracket. The lower cross brace has associated there with threaded cylinders with lower ends coupled to the threaded recesses and upper ends extending through the unthreaded holes. Nuts are received by the upper ends of the threaded cylinders above the lower cross brace. The nuts are adapted to be rotated for raising the support bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus for pulling a first pipe into contact with a stationary second pipe includes a frame and a strut pivotally mounted to the frame about a first pivot axis, the strut having a first end and second end. A pivot assembly is pivotally mounted to the frame about the first pivot axis. A pair of wheels is rotatably mounted to the pivot assembly about a wheel axis. A force generating apparatus is also mounted to the frame, the force generating apparatus configured for pulling the first pipe relative to the second pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating animated objects such as fish or other objects between a non-diverted and diverted fluid stream. Embodiments may include a screen or similar selective pass through device that is arranged in a manner that is generally horizontal (more horizontal than vertical). The non-diverted flow preferably passes over the screen while the diverted flow passes through the screen. Aspects of the apparatus may include faster sweeping velocity than pass through velocity, tapered side or bottom walls, a depressed low flow channel, a distributed under screen reservoir that facilitates distributed fluid flow through the screen or like devices, amongst other aspects.

Abstract: A technique for maintaining pressure integrity within a submersible system. The system utilizes a pressure housing with an internal component, such as a valve. The internal component is actuated by an external actuator via an actuator stem. A seal region is positioned to interact with the stem, such that the interior of the pressure housing is sealed and pressure integrity is maintained upon retraction of the stem from engagement with the internal component.

Abstract: A shoring device is disclosed comprising a piston and a cylinder. The piston is axially expanded by compressed gas, whereby the shoring device engages two opposing surfaces. An outer cam collar and a concentrically enclosed inner ring are mounted upon the cylinder end into which the piston inserts. This outer cam collar comprises at least two cam edges, two stop faces and a threaded cam pin within an integral boss. The inner ring comprises a continuous circular indentation as well as a continuous circular inner lip. The outer cam collar and inner ring, together with the continuous circular inner lip and threaded pin, firmly retain the piston. These piston retention features prevent inadvertent rotation and collapse of the piston during use.

Abstract: A protection apparatus protects a harbor or an area in a body of water or adjacent to a body of water. The protection apparatus floats on the body of water, and includes a plurality of barrier units positioned side-by-side, each of the barrier units includes a composite-based durable barrier structure. The barrier structure is configured to hold a net in place in order to protect an area in the body of water or abutting the body of water from waterborne craft. The protection apparatus also includes connectors respectively provided between adjacently-positioned ones of the barrier units. Each of the connectors includes a tensile member and a dampening member for handling forces applied to the protection barrier and for maintaining the integrity of the protection barrier.

Abstract: A benthic screen for controlling aquatic plant growth comprising a sheet of flexible material, a plurality of spaced-apart, elongated retaining members that are transversely positioned across the width of the sheet and attachment means for securing each retaining member to the sheet. The sheet of flexible material is typically a polymeric material having low light transmittance such as a woven geotextile polypropylene. The retaining members are preferably a plurality of parallel positioned metal rods. The attachment means is preferably a plurality of PVC pipes wherein each pipe has a slit that passes through the pipe and extends the length thereof. A portion of the sheet is inserted into a slit and looped around a retaining rod that is encased in the pipe. The structure of the screen renders it self anchoring and provides channels for removing plant decomposition gases that would otherwise accumulate under the screen.

Abstract: Apparatus to install small diameter columns of granular material in soil which includes rotating hollow shaft mandrel with external projections to aid mandrel advance into the soil and define the size of the cavity formed in the soil, the cavity being filled with granular material to form the column as the mandrel is withdrawn. The apparatus includes a storage hopper in the vicinity of its base, with the hopper sized to hold material to form more than one column, from which material is incrementally conveyed or pumped to a feed tank system which supplies granular material to the cavity along a flow path extending through the hollow shaft mandrel to produce the column. When a group of columns is required, as in a sand drain grid, the columns can be completed sequentially with reasonable continuity in the multiple column formation cycle.

Abstract: A method for repairing in-ground tunnel structure involves applying a first curable resin over a cementitious liner which lines the interior wall surfaces of the tunnel, drilling drainage holes in the cementitious liner, and filling the drainage holes with a second curable resin. The resins are allowed to cure and harden. The cured resins seal the wall surfaces and drainage holes to provide a composite tunnel structure having high mechanical strength and resistance to fluid leaks.

Abstract: A variety of types of wood matter may be used as a starter material. The starter material is processed into wood pieces in the range of about twenty mesh to six inches to form a base product. The base product is installed in windrows along the beach. A fence may be installed between the windrow(s) and the water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pre-installation of a petroleum wellhead on the seabed. The apparatus includes two principal components: a wellhead (1) and a ballast tube (9). The wellhead includes a tube in which are fixed guide fins (3) and structural fins (8). The ballast tube (9) includes a tube with a holding member (12) for its recovery after the wellhead (1) has been fixed on the seabed. The ballast tube (9) is placed inside the wellhead (1) and the assembly is launched towards the seabed, being embedded in it by the inherent weight of the assembly. After the wellhead (1) has been fixed, the ballast tube (9) is raised to the surface.

Abstract: A concrete retaining wall block provided with integral indicators that indicate the batter that will result from constructing a retaining wall of a multiplicity of the blocks. The indicators for indicating the batter are preferably one or more indentations formed in a surface of the block other than the front surface.

Abstract: A bundle of tubes or pipes is arranged without trenches according to a fluid-assisted drilling method. A bore channel is made in a first boring step and the bore channel is widened when the bore/flushing head is removed therefrom, the bundle of tubes being drawn into the bore channel. The bundle is composed of individual tubes and flanges arranged lengthwise at a distance from and used as spacers for the tubes. A method is also described, wherein a rotational decoupling device prevents the rotational movement of the bore/flushing head produced during the removal process from being transmitted to the bundle of tubes. The bundle of tubes are supported by stabilizing devices inside the bore channel in the same spatial position as that of the tubes in relation to each other and the surrounding environment and are drawn through the bore channel.

Abstract: A siderail assembly for a bed which includes a frame having thereon at least one pivotally supported arm for movement between first and second positions, the arm having at a distal end thereof a first connection location. A siderail support frame is pivotally connected to the distal end of the arm and has thereon at least one upstanding and elongate guide member. A siderail carriage frame is supported for movement along a length of the guide member toward and away from the siderail support frame and has thereon at least one second connection location. An elongate link is pivotally connected to and extends between the first and second connection locations to effect movement of the siderail carriage frame along the guide member toward and away from the siderail support frame in response to a pivotal movement of the arm relative to the frame to change the spacing between the siderail carriage frame and the siderail support frame.

Abstract: A method of construction includes positioning at least one support member (2) in the ground, forming a foundation (4) substantially adjacent the at least one support member, excavating ground beneath the foundation to a prescribed depth below the surface (5) temporarily forming cavities or voids (8) and supporting bridges (10) beneath the foundations, excavating the supporting bridges and dropping the formed foundation to the prescribed depth. Structures such as walls (12) may be constructed on the foundations prior to dropping the foundations and bracing members (22) may be used to prevent deflection of the walls.

Abstract: A lining for sealing the junction region where a lateral pipe and a main pipe meet. It has a two-portion structure including a main portion for lining a portion of the main pipe and a lateral portion of resin absorbent material for lining a portion of the lateral pipe. The main portion is sized for application to the full circumference of a main pipe on both sides of the junction and has an aperture for alignment with the opening of the lateral pipe. The lateral portion is connected to the main portion where it defines said opening and is gathered on a first side of the main portion.

Abstract: A drill bit comprises a shank member (31), a bit body (32) provided with cutters (33) and flexible material (35) between the shank (31) and the bit body (32) allowing relative tilting movement therebetween to reduce adverse effects caused by vibration of the bit. In other embodiments, flexible material is provided between the bit body and the cutters. In further embodiments, the flexible material may be provided in a tiltable sub-assembly for incorporation in a drilling above the drill bit. An apparatus for simulating drilling conditions is also provided.

Abstract: A cover for a drainage device, in particular a drainage channel with a channel body such that the cover can be set on an upper edge of the channel body, which comprises detent ridges that extend into the channel body and which has at least one fixing element to attach the cover to the channel body or to a frame disposed on the channel body to reinforce its upper edge, such that in a locked state the fixing element engages a recess in the channel body or frame. In order to achieve durable fixation of the cover on the channel body, while enabling the fixing element to be simple to manufacture and install, and the channel cross-section to remain free, the detent ridges comprise at least one aperture to guide the fixing element, which projects out of that aperture.

Abstract: An extendable draft offshore oil and gas drilling and production platform (“EDP”) includes a buoyant deck having a central opening, an adjustably buoyant pontoon, and a single, adjustably buoyant column. The column is mounted upright on the pontoon, and is vertically movable through the central opening of the deck. The deck is supported on an upper end of the column above a body of water for offshore operations. The pontoon, and optionally, the column, have compartments with a buoyancy that is adjustable by pumps or sea water ballast and pressurized air. In one embodiment, the compartments can comprise a plurality of tubes. In another embodiment, a lower end of the column may comprise an open truss structure. The platform combines the advantages of a SPAR platform with those of a deep draft extendable draft platform.